An optical recording medium having a structure that a recording layer containing organic coloring matter and a reflecting layer are sequentially formed on a light-transmissive substrate thereof so that an information signal is recorded/reproduced when the optical recording medium is irradiated with a laser beam made incident on the light-transmissive substrate, the optical recording medium incorporating: a light absorbing layer which is formed more adjacent to an incident point of the laser beam as compared with the reflecting layer, through which the laser beam passes and which absorbs light in an absorption wavelength region for the recording layer. Photo-deterioration of the recording layer composed of organic coloring matter occurs owing to a portion of natural light which has the wavelength which exists in the absorbing wavelength region for the organic coloring matter. In the optical recording medium having the above-mentioned light absorbing layer, natural light made incident on the reflecting layer is shielded by the reflecting layer. Therefore, the recording layer is not irradiated with natural light. A portion of light of natural light made incident on the substrate which has the wavelength which exists in the absorbing wavelength region for the organic coloring matter is absorbed by the light absorbing layer and, therefore, attenuated. As a result, the quantity of light with which the recording layer is irradiated can be reduced.